Question for Single Rottie Moms

[kaylynn143]

I would call Animal Control before calling the police/fire department. But it helps that I know all of the AC officers. I also know that my neighbors (don't know their names, but they are owned by a little poodle cross named Ethan) would help if they could.

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by kaylynn143

I would call Animal Control before calling the police/fire department.

The only problem with this is if you are seriously injured, you will most likely need medical attention right away and calling AC will delay getting an ambulance to you.

One of the things that I tell people before sending them an ambulance is to be sure and put up all of their dogs. If they are unable to do this then I let the ambulance know how many dogs and what kind are in the residence. If the ambulance crew was unable to get into the residence then we would send Animal Control or an officer. This has not happened to any of my crews yet while I was working (of course now that I said that it will happen on my next call ). There have been several instances where the person who needed the ambulance was the only one home, but the crew was still able to get into the house.

I agree with Judi, if you can get to a phone you can usually put the dogs up and unlock the door (since the majority of people have their doors locked)
If you are unable to move then I would have the 911 operator call a neighbor or family member if you have somebody very close by who can get there quickly. Of course if it is not a serious life threatening injury the 911 operator will let you get off the phone and you can try and call them yourself. I personally like to keep people on the phone when they are injured and home alone. Even if there is nothing I can do for them, just knowing that someone is on the other end of the phone seems to really help alot of people. If I am staying on the phone with someone and they need a family member called, I can put them on hold for a moment or have one of the other dispatchers call instead.

[flyballmom]

I have a dog who has had 2 TPLO's. I had help getting her out of the car when I got her home after the first one, but not the second. I....just did it. She was nauseated, drugged out of her mind (anyone heard of Fentanyl/Duragesic?) and unable to walk with out a sling. The LAST thing she needed to do was jump out of the back seat of my truck. Somehow, I got her front end out first, and the rear end out last without breaking her. You just...can.

[wot_racing]

Originally Posted by Carol Burke

I have a question that has bothered me for awhile. I am single and live with 4 Rotts. I am not getting younger unfortunately and having been sick over the Holidays got me thinking about what would happen if I got really sick and had to call 911. How would they get in my house with my dogs? Anyone with a plan please share.

If you called 911 and notified them of the dogs, something would be figured out... There are a few of us that are not scared of dogs, we have police friends, and so on.. We would figure something out.. We actually have 3 control sticks at the office... The key to it all is telling the dispatcher there is a dog...

In the event that you couldnt tell the dispatcher for some reason about the dogs, I can tell you how the law works in KY.. When we are called to a 911 call, and no one answers the door, you go around the house, and look in all the windows, and search for anything you can see in the house.. ANYTHING that looks like someone inside is in trouble, you can even open the door and stick your head in, but can not enter unless you see evidence of someone in distress.. If you see a reason to enter, you can enter the residence by any means nessecary... If you dont see a reason to enter, the police will come and enter the residence for you.... What happens when you enter the residence and the dogs are there is not a circustance listed in the books that I know of... I can tell you that we carry a can of mace in each truck, adn by law, any damage to property during a rescue attempt is NOT the resposibility of the Emergency Services Crew..

To sum this rambling post up, I dont know what we would do if 4 dogs were on the scene.. It really just depends on the temperment of the dogs and the crew..



**Edit** I just looked in the book and found that the Crews safety is the #1 priority on the scene... If one were to follow the book to the letter, The crew should wait outside the house until Animal Control came and secured the scene's safety...

[JaniceH]

I would also have faith in human nature. People will help you even if you don't know them well or even at all.

I took my 6 month old pup on the London Underground about 3 weeks ago. I could not however take her on the escalator (moving staircase) to get me to the main train station. Whilst I was waiting at the bottom of the escalator waiting for an operator to stop it, a complete stranger, obviously in his 60's, stopped and offered to carry Teazle up the stairs. I was really touched since he really didn't look capable. I declined kindly and explained it wasn't necessary.

[calmeida2]

[Other than that.........you'd have to find your MOM IN DISTRESS strength!

You know.............the power that comes over a woman that enables them to LIFT THE CAR to get their trapped child out!!![/quote]

Totally TRUE! WHen I took Onyx to the vet to get his teeth cleaned, they gave him too much ketamine/valium and he was still a little wobbly when I took him home. (I lived in Queens at the time) When I parked the car to take him out (he had been standing the whole time in the car, so I figured he was better by then) his legs gave out when he jumped off the car. He's 128lbs and I lifted him so fast out of fear a car would hit him and took to the sidewalk I was even surprised!!!!! I'm 5 1" and weight 140lbs!!!

So in an emergency, I would not worry!!! : )

[KateG]

Good luck on adopting your new friend....there's nothing like a Rottie to make life worth living. Folks are right, you'll find the strength if you need it. We all have hidden reserves. And don't wait to buy a new car to start taking your Rottie with you. You don't need a suburban assault vehicle to transport a Rottie. My first Rottie and I commuted together across the width of New Jersey for five years in a Honda Civic hatchback (and they were smaller then)! In fact, we even picked my in-laws up at the airport: three adults, two suitcases and a Rottie in one tiny car!

[Karyn]

Before my brother in law died last December - I was trying to get it together to start an animal ER ambulance service for just such an emergency. I have techs lined up - spoke to vets about hours and was researching small business loans. There are many single big dog owners out there as well as elderly people who cannot drive at night. Since Wayne died, I am planning to relocate to Florida so my plans for NJ are off. But I do think that is a service whose time has come. Lord knows I needed it a couple weeks ago.

[RottieGirl86]

in my 30s ( 35 now) I bench pressed 90+ lbs, 3 sets of 12 :) I still have some upper body strength even though I can no longer work out liek that ( kidneys)
I can lift Athena ( she's solid packed & built more like a pittbull) 70lbs.

Max is just too braod. He's around 90lbs.

I'd have to use a quilt to drag to car then manuever him in.

I pulled/pushed a treadmill up a grassy hill a few months ago ( don't ask, it was nto illegal, treadmill was mine, lol.) & got it in my car. Dog? Inert? piece of cake by comparison. :D ;) :p